I had stopped listening. It wasn’t that anything bad happened. But up until that point, I felt like no one was sharing a perspective that I felt was introspective or reflective of Sierra Leonean life. Right after the war, there was a resurgence of music led by artists like Pupa Bajah and Dry Yai Crew, Daddy Saj,  Jungle Leaders, Manzu Avec C Bolt and others. Their music came in the aftermath of the revolution, addressing struggle, corruption, and social issues. The quality of production wasn’t the best (except for Jimmy B‘s songs) but the music had substance.

“We still day na Di city, we day look for place for sleep, man dem day waka na Di street so filthy, natin no day for eat I, I no easy.”

In the second generation of post-war music, artists like Emmerson emerged, creating socially relevant music that gave voice to the voiceless. And SWA and K-man sang love songs.

“No go no go, you wan for make a cry. A day die aie.” 

Apart from Emmerson, no one stood the test of time both making party hits and singing truth to power. Yes, I do know that art does not always have to speak to reflect life, but it should still be meaningful. Love songs, and party songs can also give us something to think about it. What we got instead was “gbambashkay,” it was popular music, it had potential but the ecosystem wasn’t there for growth. 

I stopped listening to Sierra Leone music.

Drizilik and the Freetown Uncut Band pose for a photo after sound check at Triple Fest at Radisson Blu Gardens on January 3, 2024 in Freetown Sierra Leone.

Then in 2017, a friend shared a music video with me, and it was Drizilik’s “Di Mami i money fo komot“. I watched it with an open mind as a favor to my friend, and from the first beat to the last lyric, I was mesmerized. I knew at first listen that I was witnessing the beginning of something great. Drizilik put it all on the line, every lyric, every bar in that song had his now signature lyricism, Krio metaphors and inimitable delivery. After watching that video, I wrote, “If Salone were concrete for a musical creative then Drizilik is the rose that grew from it.”

But even after writing those words, I didn’t start listening to more music from Sierra Leone. In the years that followed, Drizilik would send me links to new songs, posters, flyers, and invite me to concerts and shows. Initially I wasn’t interested, until I realized that musicians like him, Yung Sal, Rozzy, Markmuday, Krack Twist and Samza, and the musicians that make up the Freetown Uncut band were leading a new school music revival,  and a creative cultural awakening. 

Fast forward to December 2021, I was in Sierra Leone for work when Drizilik messaged me on Instagram. He was in a studio in Lagos and sent me 30 seconds of a song he was working on. As soon as I heard it, I immediately recognized it. He had sampled the accordion of Salia Koroma and the staccato style of Dr. Oloh’s Milo Jazz. That song, “Ashobi,” would later be released in August 2023 featuring Idris Elba.

It is time to start listening to Sierra Leonean musicians

Benjamin Menelik George known as Drizilik, Sierra Leonean rapper and singer

I see a lot of parallels between my creative journey and Drizilik’s. When I first started out on TV in Sierra Leone, people didn’t take me seriously. I was smart and hardworking, but Sierra Leone’s media landscape was pre-nascent. Some people who considered themselves tastemakers were both condescending and dismissive. Drizilik has to deal with the same. When he is introduced as a singer and rapper from Sierra Leone, many dismiss him before even checking his discography. They assume, as I did, that the music isn’t good because they’ve stopped listening. Good things are happening in Sierra Leone and the music is one of them. 

Drizilik is not only talented, but as Idris Elba said on BBC’s 1Xtra last year, Drizilik is one of the best in Africa. His lyricism, inimitable delivery, and energetic live performances have taken him to stages and festivals from Lagos to Banjul, London to Cyprus. And on July 6, he will make history as the first artist from Sierra Leone to perform at the iconic The Howard Theatre in Washington DC. Built in 1910, the Howard is one of the oldest venues for Black music and entertainment in America. It even predates the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Drizilik live at Howard Theatre in Washington D.C.

Poster – Drizilik live at Howard Theatre in DC

Drizilik’s live performance in DC will take place during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. It’s a perfect opportunity for afrobeats, hip-hop, and goombay lovers to come together and celebrate Salone’s music. This show will not just be a personal record for Drizilik, but it will also signal a new dawn for our music. Sierra Leone’s music belongs on the main stage, and it’s commercially viable for export.

This is an invitation to anyone who was in the same position as I was in 2017, not listening to Salone music. Like me, you may not have understood the importance of music and art in reclaiming our heritage, showcasing our identity, and amplifying Sierra Leonean joy. Take a chance on Drizilik and join us at the Howard Theatre this Fourth of July weekend. This is going to be the best night for Sierra Leonean music and culture in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Tickets to Drizilik’s concert are available online. Doors will open at 7:00pm, the show will begin at 8:30pm and end at 11:30pm. Kam join we!